Legarda, Leviste leave country amid plunder, graft complaints

MANILA, Philippines – The Bureau of Immigration confirmed on Friday, August 7, that Senator Loren Legarda and her son Batangas 1st District Representative Leandro Leviste have left the country on August 2, days after the Office of the Ombudsman announced the plunder and graft complaints against them. “The office confirms the departure of [Senator] Loren Legarda and [Representative] Leandro Leviste in separate flights last August 2. Both had no derogatory records at the time of departure,” BI spokesperson Dana Sandoval told Rappler. On July 31, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin “Boying” Remulla announced that plunder and graft complaints are currently pending against Legarda and Leviste over the latter’s solar energy projects. The Ombudsman also included Duterte-time energy secretary Alfonso Cusi in the pending complaints over the alleged conspiracy “to secure exclusive government rights over the country’s solar energy resources through legislative and regulatory actions.” According to the Ombudsman, investigation also revealed that some service contracts were transferred to Leviste’s affiliated corporations that only exist on paper, but had not started operations. “All indicators point to the fact that they had no intention to fulfill contracts that they had garnered. The terminated contracts resulted in more than ₱10.44 billion in unpaid financial obligations to the government,” the Ombudsman said. Complaints are not enough to bar Legarda and Leviste from leaving the country. The Ombudsman, however, could ask for a precautionary hold-departure order (PHDO) against the two since the complaints are already at the preliminary investigation level or one step before becoming actual cases. The investigator may file this with a court and the latter will issue a PHDO as needed. Must Read Loren Legarda, Leandro Leviste face plunder, graft complaints over solar projects On Friday, the Senate confirmed that Legarda is currently on medical leave. “Last August 3, the [chief of staff] of the Office of Senator Legarda sent a letter informing the Office of the Secretary that ‘Senator Loren Legarda will be on medical leave from 3 to 5 August 2026’,” Senate Secretary Renato Bantug Jr. told Rappler on Friday, August 7. Speaking to reporters on Friday, Senator Erwin Tulfo also confirmed that Legarda filed for a medical leave, adding that this was the reason for her absence during the Senate impeachment hearings. “Wala naman ho binanggit kung ano’ng klase. Basta sinabi lang ho, medical need (It was not specified which type of medical leave. She just said it’s for medical need,” Tulfo said. Absent again: Where’s Senator Loren Legarda? Legarda has skipped the impeachment trial from August 3 to 5. – With a report from Patrick Cruz/Rappler.com